» Emergence of militant groups in Punjab, Rajasthan not a serious problem: Chidambaram

Emergence of militant groups in Punjab, Rajasthan not a serious problem: Chidambaram

Published: Sunday, February 7, 2010, 20:47 [IST]

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New Delhi, Feb.7 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday said the emergence of some militant groups in Punjab and Rajasthan were not a serious problem for the country.

Chidambaram held a press conference following the conclusion of a day-long 3rd chief ministers' meeting on internal security in last 13 months, in the national capital.

Replying to a question related to the emergence of militant groups in some states as was visible with the recent pasting of a poster from a Bhindarwale group at Delhi's Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Chidambaram said: " There are some signs of militant groups trying to raise their heads in Punjab and Rajasthan. But both-the Director Generals of Punjab and Rajasthan-have assured that they are capable of tackling militant groups."

"I don't it's a serious problem," Chidambaram remarked.

Chidambaram also informed journalists at the press conference that the chief ministers participating in the meeting on internal security supported the ongoing fight against Naxalism in the country.

Replying to a query about Gujarat government's demand of a separate anti-terror law of its state, Chidambaram said he didn't think there was any need to have a separate anti-terror law for Gujarat.

Talking about the problem erupting from regionalism, Chidambaram said: "Regionalism is a threat if it is divisive."

In the case of Maharashtra state, Chidambaram hoped Maharashtra would take care of the MNS and Shiv Sena who were playing divisive politics.

On the issue of cooperation from Bangladesh Government under Sheikh Hasina, Chidambaram informed journalists that: "the government under Shiekh Hasina has extended a splendid cooperation in apprehending leaders of insurgent groups."

Earlier in the day, during the meeting, Chidambaram said: "Never before have the Central Government and the State Governments worked so closely together - or interacted more frequently - on matters concerning internal security. In a way, we are responding to the demands and expectations of the people of the country. It is the right response. In fact, it is the only response that will be seen by the people to be right.

Mentioning about an overview of the security situation in the country, he said: "It is a matter of satisfaction that there has been no significant terrorist attack in the last 14 months. It is also a matter of satisfaction that there has been no significant communal incident during this period. That, I hasten to add, does not mean that there has been no violence; or that we are not vulnerable to terrorist attacks; or that there are no triggers for communal disturbances. We must remain vigilant. We must continue the work on enhancing capacity. And we must reform our institutions and systems of governance in order to pre-empt terrorist threats and prevent communal discord." (ANI)